The most common causes and types of workplace injuries

Workplace injuries happen all the time. In fact, there are 12,300 occupational injuries per day in the United States. It is clear that on-the-job injuries are too common.

Understanding the most common worker accidents and their causes helps put things into perspective. Once you are aware of the risks, you can take steps to be safer at work.

Common workplace injury events

A good place to turn to for reliable injury statistics is the National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that advocates for worker safety. Certain situations and environments cause and contribute to worker injuries more than others. Here are the findings of the NSC about the causes of occupational injuries and what you can do to prevent them:

Overworking and repetitive motions: Take frequent breaks, and use proper lifting techniques.

Slips, trips and falls: Clean up spills and clutter, and use ladders on even and stable surfaces.

By knowing the hazards you face, you can make safer choices at your place of employment.

Common workplace injuries

Here are the most widespread occupational injuries, according to NSC data:

Sprains, strains and tears

Pain and soreness

Cuts, punctures and lacerations

These are the top injuries that cause employees to take time away from their jobs. Not only do these injuries impact the health and financial stability of workers, they can also affect employer success and the economy at large. Everyone loses when workers get hurt.

This is just a snapshot of workplace injury statistics; you can get hurt on the job many other ways. And remember, while you should certainly be a safe worker, your employer ultimately bears responsibility for making your workplace a hazard-free environment.